Light degradable drug delivery system for ocular therapy

Abstract

A system and method for delivering a payload to ocular tissue includes a solution of light-degradable nanoparticles encapsulating the payload. The solution may be introduced to the ocular tissue by way of injection or through a contact lens into which the solution is embedded. A light source delivers a beam of light to the ocular tissue at the location where the solution was introduced to initiate breakdown of the particles, releasing the payload. The light source may be a laser, LED, LCD or arc lamp emitting in the ultraviolet light range.

1 . A system for delivering a payload to ocular tissue, comprising:
 a solution comprising light-degradable nanoparticles encapsulating the payload;   a device configured for introducing the solution into the ocular tissue;   a light source for delivering a beam of light to the ocular tissue;   at least one beam adjusting optical element for controlling focus and beam size within the ocular tissue; and   a system controller for providing control signals to the light source, wherein the control signals comprise selection of an emission wavelength, an emission intensity and an exposure duration, and wherein the emission wavelength is adapted to induce at least particle degradation of the nanoparticles to release the payload to the ocular tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured for introducing the solution comprises a syringe and needle for intra-ocular injection. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the device configured for introducing the solution comprises a contact lens having the solution incorporated therein. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of lasers, LEDs, LCDs and arc lamps emitting in the ultraviolet light range. 
     
     
         5 . A method for delivering a payload to ocular tissue comprising the steps of:
 synthesizing a particle wherein said particle further comprises a light-degradable polymer and a payload;   incorporating the particle in a solution;   administering the solution to the ocular tissue; and   irradiating the ocular tissue comprising said particle with light having a wavelength adapted to induce degradation of the particle;   wherein the particle is disrupted in situ following absorption of the light.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the light is ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the light is emitted by a light source selected from the group consisting of lasers, LEDs, LCDs and arc lamps emitting in the ultraviolet light range 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the particle comprises a polymer having a self-immolative backbone. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of administering is selected from intra-vitreal injection, sub-conjunctival injection, topical formulation or embedding the particle in a contact lens. 
     
     
         10 . A drug-delivery agent for delivering a payload to ocular tissue comprising light-degradable nanoparticles suspended in a solution, wherein the light-degradable nanoparticles are adapted to degrade upon exposure to light having a wavelength adapted to induce degradation in the nanoparticles and release the payload into ocular tissue to which the nanoparticles have been introduced. 
     
     
         11 . The drug-delivery agent of  claim 10 , wherein the nanoparticles are polymers having a self-immolative backbone. 
     
     
         12 . A kit for drug delivery to a target area within an eye irradiated by light energy, the kit comprising:
 a solution comprising particles formed from a light-degradable polymer, wherein the particles are adapted for encapsulating a therapeutic payload;   a device for administering the solution to a target area within the eye.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the device for administering the solution comprises a syringe and needle configured for intra-ocular injection. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the device for introducing the solution comprises a contact lens having the solution incorporated therein. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the light-degradable polymer is configured to degrade upon exposure to ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one beam adjusting optical element is selected from the group consisting of lenses, focusing elements, beam shaping optics, slits, apertures, grating, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one beam adjusting element is configured to control a focal depth of the beam within the ocular tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of irradiating the ocular tissue comprises focusing a beam of light to a depth and area corresponding to a region of ocular tissue to be targeted by the payload. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of incorporating comprises incorporating a plurality of particles in the solution, and wherein the step of irradiating comprises applying the light for a predetermined treatment period selected to disrupt a portion of the plurality of particles, and further comprising, repeating applying the light for one or more predetermined treatment periods selected to disrupt additional particles of the plurality.